Johannesburg - Vandalism is behind the lack of services in Madibeng, North West, and not a lack of effort or money by government, the water affairs department said on Tuesday.
“Minister Edna Molewa stated during her visit to the locality that there was suspicion of vandalism of water infrastructure by people who were bent on sabotaging the work of government and in the same vein denying the community its right to access the vital resource of water,” spokesman Mava Scott said in a statement.
Several people, including a councillor, had been arrested for allegedly vandalising water infrastructure in the area.
In January, residents in the area went on the rampage following a water shortage. There had been speculation that infrastructure was damaged by people contracted to supply water in tankers.
Four people died in Mothutlung, near Brits, during the protests.
In nearby Hebron, residents called for the resignation of their ward councillor during service delivery protests.
They claimed the councillor neither listened to them nor addressed their grievances.
North West premier Thandi Modise set aside about R2 billion to address water problems in the area in February.
“In terms of the plan, R300 million is earmarked for water projects to communities experiencing 24 problems with water provision within the jurisdiction of Madibeng local municipality,” Modise said at the time. - Sapa